The Los Angeles Lakers have been without backup center Christian Wood for the entirety of the 2024-25 season up to this point. He underwent offseason knee surgery that was expected to hold him out for the first stretch of the year. However, soreness in his knee early last week delayed his timetable and he is projected to be out for a few more weeks.
In the meantime, the Lakers have had only Anthony Davis and two-way center Christian Koloko as their only bigs. Jaxson Hayes began the year strong but is now also out with an injury.